Gelmersee is one of those places in Switzerland that looks almost unreal in photographs.
High in the Bernese Alps near Guttannen, the turquoise waters of Gelmersee are surrounded by rugged mountains, rocky slopes and Alpine scenery. But getting there is part of the experience.
We reached Gelmersee by taking the famous Gelmerbahn from Handegg. The funicular is incredibly steep, and the ride itself is an experience before you even reach the lake.
Once you arrive at the top, everything suddenly becomes much quieter. The steep railway ride is replaced by a beautiful mountain lake surrounded by peaks and hiking trails.
And this is what makes Gelmersee such a great day trip: the journey, the lake and the hike all feel like separate parts of the same adventure.
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| Gelmersee surrounded by rugged mountains and colourful Alpine flowers. |
How Do You Get to Gelmersee?
The easiest and most memorable way to reach Gelmersee is by taking the Gelmerbahn from Handegg.
The lower station is located near the Grimsel Pass in the Bernese Oberland, not far from Guttannen. From there, the funicular climbs steeply up the mountainside towards the lake.
The Gelmerbahn ride takes around 10 minutes, but it certainly doesn't feel like an ordinary mountain railway journey. With its open design and extremely steep sections, the climb is one of the most unusual parts of visiting Gelmersee.
We rode the Gelmerbahn ourselves, and our kids sat in the front with my wife. From the front row, you get a fantastic view of the track below you, although the steepest sections can feel surprisingly intimidating.
Once you arrive at the top, Gelmersee is just a short walk away.
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| High mountains with patches of snow surrounding Gelmersee. |
What Is Gelmersee Like?
When you step off the Gelmerbahn, the atmosphere changes completely.
The noise and excitement of the funicular are replaced by the much quieter surroundings of the mountains. In front of you is Gelmersee, surrounded by rocky peaks and steep Alpine slopes.
The colour of the water is one of the first things you notice. Depending on the light and weather, the lake can appear an intense turquoise blue, contrasting with the grey rocks and green vegetation around it.
At an altitude of around 1,850 metres, Gelmersee feels a long way removed from the towns and roads down in the valley.
It is also much larger than it can appear in photographs. Walking around the shoreline gives you constantly changing views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
This is a place where it is worth slowing down rather than simply arriving, taking a photograph and immediately getting back on the funicular.
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| Looking across Gelmersee from the dam, with the mountains rising behind the lake. |
Hiking Around Gelmersee
One of the best ways to experience the lake is to walk around it.
The trail around Gelmersee is approximately 4.5 kilometres long and takes around two hours, depending on your pace and how often you stop for photographs.
And you will probably stop quite often.
The path takes you through a rugged Alpine landscape with views across the turquoise water towards the surrounding mountains. You also get different perspectives of the dam and lake as you continue around the shoreline.
This isn't a perfectly smooth lakeside promenade. There are rocky sections and changes in elevation, so good walking shoes are a much better choice than casual footwear.
The conditions can also change depending on the season and weather. Snow and wet or slippery sections can make the walk more demanding earlier or later in the year.
If you are visiting with children, take the terrain into account. Children who are comfortable walking on uneven mountain paths should enjoy the experience, but this isn't a suitable trail for a stroller.
The Gelmersee Dam
Gelmersee isn't simply a natural Alpine lake. It is a reservoir associated with the hydroelectric power system in the Grimsel region.
The large dam is one of the most noticeable features of the lake and provides another interesting viewpoint during your visit.
Standing near the dam, you get a completely different perspective of the surrounding landscape. The enormous mountains make the structure look surprisingly small against its surroundings.
For me, this is one of the interesting things about visiting Gelmersee. You aren't just looking at a beautiful lake. You are also seeing how Switzerland has combined its mountainous landscape with large-scale hydroelectric engineering.
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| The rugged Alpine landscape stretching out from the Gelmersee dam. |
When Is the Best Time to Visit Gelmersee?
The best time to visit Gelmersee depends largely on the operating season of the Gelmerbahn and the mountain conditions.
Summer is generally the easiest time for visiting because the hiking trails are more likely to be accessible and the Alpine landscape is at its most colourful.
It is also the busiest period.
If you are planning to visit during the summer holidays, booking the Gelmerbahn in advance is a sensible idea because the railway has limited capacity.
Always check the current operating dates, weather conditions and ticket availability before travelling. Mountain conditions can change quickly, and the Gelmerbahn does not operate year-round.
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| The Gelmersee dam set against the dramatic mountains of the Bernese Alps. |
What to See Near Gelmersee
Gelmersee is only one part of the experience around Handegg and the Grimsel Pass.
The Handeckfall Bridge is very close to the Gelmerbahn and makes an easy addition to your visit.
The bridge crosses the gorge beside the Handeckfall waterfall and gives you another impressive view of the surrounding mountains.
The Grimsel Pass itself is also worth exploring if you are driving through the area. The road passes reservoirs, waterfalls, rocky mountain landscapes and spectacular viewpoints.
And if you have more time, the Aare Gorge is another major attraction in the wider region.
This means you can easily turn a visit to Gelmersee into a full day exploring the Grimsel area rather than treating it as a quick stop.
Is Gelmersee Worth Visiting?
Yes, but I wouldn't visit Gelmersee simply to tick another Swiss lake off your list. What makes it special is the combination of experiences.
You start at Handegg and climb the mountain on the incredibly steep Gelmerbahn. Then, after the excitement of the railway ride, you arrive at a peaceful turquoise lake surrounded by rugged Alpine scenery.
You can walk around the lake, admire the dam, take photographs or simply sit and enjoy the mountains.
For us, the experience was made even more memorable because we travelled there as a family. Watching my wife and kids sitting in the front of the Gelmerbahn and experiencing that steep climb is something I still remember.
And once you reach Gelmersee, the atmosphere is completely different.
The nerves from the funicular disappear and you are suddenly standing beside a beautiful mountain lake high above the valley.
If you are travelling through the Grimsel Pass or visiting the Bernese Oberland, I would definitely put Gelmersee on your list.
Just remember that the lake isn't the only reason to go. The journey to get there is part of the adventure.